Arunachal Pradesh Restricts Civilian Movement on Assam Border

Guwahati, December 29 (IBNS) : The Arunachal Pradesh government last Monday imposed restrictions on civilian movement along the interstate border with Assam following the launch of counter insurgency operations carried out by the army and paramilitary troops against NDFB (Sangbijit) militants who were responsible for the massacre that left 81 dead.

According to the Arunachal Pradesh government statement, the state government Home minister,Tanga Byaling, directed the principal home secretary to issue necessary directions to the district administration, restricting civilian movement across the inter state border with Assam. This was done to protect civilians while counter insurgency operations were being launched by security forces against militants along the bordering areas and in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh.

In the instructions issued by the state government, hunting in the jungles along the inter-state bordering areas was also banned.

“All DCs and SPs have been asked not to allow mass gathering in public places to avoid any unfortunate mishap,” a top Arunachal Pradesh government official said.

“All arms licence holders were directed not to carry weapons within or outside the state,” the official said.

The Security-Risks Monitor said the NDFB(S) militants developed ties with the Paresh Baruah-led anti-talks faction of the ULFA and set up its operations in no man’s land in Myanmar under Baruah’s protection. After the 2003 anti-militant operations by the Royal Bhutan Army and the 2009 crackdown in Bangladesh, northeast militants, especially the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), found safe haven in the dense forests of Myanmar bordering the northeastern region of Assam.

Also on Monday, security forces apprehended two NDFB(S) linemen in Sonitpur district.

The arrested linkmen were identified as Suklai Basumutary and Arun Narzary.

Hemanta Kumar Nath
Hemanta Kumar Nath is a correspondent in Assam, India, who reports on local news in Assam, the north east Indian state.